If you answer yes to any of these questions, you might have a bailout mentality …
–Have you given up control of your career to someone else?
–Job searching is nothing more then the stars aligning and that next position magically appearing at the right time?
–Are you walking around with a sense of entitlement, annoyed or even indignant that no one is noticing how brilliant you are?
–Do you believe you are secure in your position so managing your career isn’t something you think about, ever?
–The investment of a couple hours a week (while I’m unemployed) SHOULD be more then enough time on my search.
Now some of these are obviously said tongue-in-cheek, but the reality is these are some tough times and the squeeze is on for everybody – including the C-suite. Never, seriously, NEVER has it been more important to take back control of your career, rather then leaving it to the whim of others. Those others might be the CEO, shareholders, or board of directors. The moment CFOs don’t deliver on projections, their career is in jeopardy. Maybe not right away, but the foundation has cracked. Better to be prepared and not need to be then to be caught totally unprepared and suddenly find yourself spending 8 hours a day searching for a job.
Your highest value and marketability are while you are still employed. You have the most leverage to get what you want in that next position when you still hold a position of power (employment). You can choose what you want and when you want it, rather then being forced to take what’s offered … if and when it is finally offered.
You might be the greatest thing since sliced bread (most CFOs don’t get to the top of the ladder if they aren’t) and a company may very well need your help, but without a clear visible presence, a compelling MVP, and positioning as the answer to their problems, they may never see your brilliance.
Don’t wait to be bailed out … be proactive!